Ellen Winifred Leen Feldner

Dr. Ellen Winifred Leen Feldner is a Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Arkansas, where she also directs the PETAL Laboratory. Her research centers on developmental psychopathology and the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), in anxiety and stress-related disorders.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Developmental Psychology, 2004, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Research Interests: Dr. Leen-Feldner's work is organized into two main streams. The first investigates the developmental origins of adolescent anxiety, focusing on familial transmission mechanisms such as parental smoking, trauma, and anxiety. A key contribution is the examination of 'child-driven' effects, where at-risk youth elicit anxiety-promoting parenting behaviors. The second stream evaluates the efficacy of CBD in reducing anxiety symptoms, withdrawal severity, and stress reactivity through rigorous experimental paradigms including placebo-controlled trials and laboratory challenges (e.g., CO2 breathing, hyperventilation).

Publication Trends: Her recent publications (2018–2023) demonstrate a consistent focus on CBD's role in anxiety modulation, employing robust clinical and experimental methods. She frequently collaborates with graduate students and external partners, publishing in high-impact journals such as Psychopharmacology and Journal of Anxiety Disorders.

Scientific Awards:

Advising and Grants: Dr. Leen-Feldner actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, with several successfully defending theses under her supervision. She has secured significant extramural funding, including an NIDA RO3 grant, industry funding (e.g., from Canopy Growth Corporation), and support for training grants (F31, NSF fellowships), underscoring her success in grant acquisition and research leadership.

Lab and Team: She leads the UA PETAL Lab, a research team dedicated to understanding anxiety and trauma in youth and evaluating cannabinoid-based interventions. The lab emphasizes active research, teaching, and community service, with ongoing recruitment of students interested in experimental psychology, developmental psychopathology, and cannabis science.